Definition

1. Noun (Historical):
   • Native soldier (French colonial period): A Vietnamese soldier recruited by the French colonial administration to serve in their military forces, primarily as an infantryman. The term literally means "red loincloth," referring to part of their uniform.
   • Tirailleur (Indochinese): The French term for these light infantry units, often used in historical contexts.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Lực lượng khố đỏ là một công cụ quan trọng của chính quyền thuộc địa Pháp. (The khố đỏ force was an important tool of the French colonial administration.)
  • Nhiều người dân thời đó gọi họ là lính khố đỏ. (Many people at that time called them khố đỏ soldiers.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is specifically historical and carries connotations of colonial subjugation and the use of local troops by a foreign power. It is not used in a modern military context.

Variants and Related Words

• Lính tập (n): Another historical term for Vietnamese soldiers trained and commanded by the French colonial forces, sometimes used interchangeably with though there could be administrative distinctions.

Synonyms

• Native soldier
• Colonial infantryman
• Indochinese tirailleur

Related Historical Context

• Khố xanh (n): Refers to local militia or provincial guards under French command, distinguished by a different uniform color ("blue loincloth").
• Khố vàng (n): Refers to guards serving the Nguyen dynasty court in Hue, wearing a yellow uniform.

1. Native soldier(thời cuộc pháp)